Expert: Ken Black - 10/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I would like to digitally sign a pdf then password protect it; then upload to the web.  This way only the person I give the password to can view it and when they do they'll see the digital signature.  Is this possible?

ANSWER: Hi Lori,

Yes, this is possible. Using Acrobat professional. Different versions have slightly different menu selections, this example is from version 7.

In version 7, you can create a digital signature by selecting digital signature under the document menu. This will run a wizard that will walk you through creating a signature or using an image of a signature you have created.

After adding the digital signature you can select security, also under the document menu, and then Restrict opening and editing using passwords...

Thanks,

Ken Black
www.bestprintingonline.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Ken - I know logically this should be no problem but I'm using Version 9.  I can digitally sign no problem but if I digitally sign and then try to encrypt with password protect it says I can't because the document is signed or certified.

Answer
Try this method found here on Adobe's site:

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/Professional/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109

There are provisions here that I was not previously aware of that deal with securing the document. It looks like it may be what you need.

Thanks,

Ken Black